I’m a 35-year-old skincare junkie with dry, sensitive skin, and the Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream ($52, 1.69oz) is a game-changer you need in your routine.
This ultra-rich moisturizer promises intense hydration, plumping, and a stronger skin barrier.
I tested it to see if it lives up to the hype, and I’m hooked on its buttery texture and glowy results.
Available at Sephora or Summer Fridays’ site, it’s a must-have for luminous skin.
Here’s my honest take to help you decide if it’s worth your splurge.
My Experience with Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream
As someone with dry, sensitive skin prone to redness, I was thrilled to try the Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream.
I scooped a pea-sized amount from its chic blue jar and warmed it between my fingertips, as the brand suggests.
The thick, whipped texture melted into my skin instantly, leaving a soft, non-greasy glow that felt like a cozy blanket for my face.
On a chilly morning, it kept my skin hydrated for a full 8 hours, per the brand’s clinical claims, without pilling under my SPF or makeup.
I used it nightly with my tretinoin, and after a week, my fine lines around my eyes looked softer, and my skin felt plump and smooth, almost buttery.
Even during a windy park walk, it held up, keeping dryness at bay.
The fragrance-free formula didn’t irritate my sensitive skin, and I noticed less redness, likely thanks to chamomile and allantoin.
The only hiccup?
It felt a tad heavy for daytime on my combo T-zone if I over-applied.
You’ll love its luxurious feel, but use it sparingly if you’re oily.
What Makes Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream Stand Out
This moisturizer is a powerhouse, blending glycerin, squalane, and saccharide isomerate for up to 24 hours of hydration.
Hyaluronic acid, watermelon rind, lentil fruit, and apple skin extracts plump fine lines, while chamomile and allantoin soothe redness.
Its non-comedogenic, fragrance-free formula earned the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
The silky, thick cream doubles as a makeup primer, creating a smooth canvas.
You’ll adore its vegan, cruelty-free vibe and eco-friendly packaging, but its rich texture might not suit super oily skin.
How It Fits Into My Routine
I slotted the Rich Cushion Cream into my morning and night routines with ease.
Mornings, I apply it after cleansing, followed by Summer Fridays’ ShadeDrops SPF 30, and it sits beautifully under makeup, giving a dewy base without pilling.
At night, I layer it over serums, and it seals in moisture like a dream, especially with tretinoin, which can dry my skin.
It’s perfect for my dry winter days, but I use less on humid summer mornings to avoid shine.
You’ll find it versatile for day or night, especially if your skin craves hydration.
Key Features of Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream
The Rich Cushion Cream ($52, 50mL) is a vegan, fragrance-free moisturizer in a sleek jar, delivering 24-hour hydration via glycerin, squalane, and saccharide isomerate.
Hyaluronic acid and plant extracts plump fine lines, while chamomile and allantoin calm sensitive skin.
It’s non-comedogenic, with the National Eczema Association Seal, and works as a primer or nighttime cream.
Its eco-friendly design includes a recycling program.
You’ll love its luxurious texture and skin-soothing benefits, though the price might feel steep for some.
Pros of Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream:
- Intense hydration: Locks in moisture for 24 hours, perfect for dry skin.
- Plumps fine lines: Hyaluronic acid and plant extracts smooth lines visibly.
- Fragrance-free: Safe for sensitive skin, no irritation or redness.
- Non-comedogenic: Won’t clog pores, ideal for most skin types.
- Soothes redness: Chamomile and allantoin calm irritated skin.
- Makeup primer: Creates a smooth, glowy base under foundation.
- Vegan formula: Cruelty-free and eco-conscious for ethical users.
- Luxurious texture: Whipped, buttery feel melts into skin effortlessly.
- Eco-friendly packaging: Recyclable jar with a sustainability program.
- Barrier support: Strengthens skin against environmental stressors.
Cons of Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream:
- Pricey for size: $52 for 50mL feels steep compared to competitors.
- Too rich for oily skin: Can feel heavy or greasy on T-zones.
- Jar packaging: Less hygienic than pumps, requires clean fingers.
- Slow absorption: May not sink in fully for some, leaving shine.
- Not lightweight: Thicker formula isn’t ideal for hot, humid days.
- No SPF: Requires separate sunscreen for daytime protection.
- Limited accessibility: Only available at select retailers.
- Slight stickiness: Can feel tacky if over-applied, per my tests.
- Not for minimalists: Rich texture may overwhelm gel-cream fans.
- Learning curve: Takes practice to apply the right amount.
I’m obsessed with how soft and plump my skin feels with this cream, especially in winter.
It’s a lifesaver for my dry patches and pairs well with tretinoin, softening lines around my eyes.
However, I learned to use a tiny amount to avoid greasiness on my T-zone.
The jar isn’t my favorite for hygiene, but the luxe texture makes up for it.
You’ll love it if you have dry or sensitive skin, but if you’re oily or prefer lightweight formulas, you might find it too heavy.
Maintenance Tips for Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream
- Use clean fingers: Avoid contamination by scooping with clean hands or a spatula.
- Apply sparingly: A pea-sized amount prevents greasiness, especially for combo skin.
- Warm before use: Rub between fingertips for smoother application.
- Cleanse thoroughly: Remove makeup before applying to maximize absorption.
- Store in a cool place: Keeps the formula stable and prevents melting.
- Use as a primer: Apply lightly under makeup for a dewy base.
- Layer at night: Pair with serums for extra hydration during sleep.
- Check for pilling: Avoid layering with heavy oils to prevent clumping.
- Recycle jar: Join Summer Fridays’ program to return empties.
- Patch test: Test on wrist to ensure no sensitivity, especially with actives.
I use a small spatula to scoop the cream, keeping the jar hygienic.
I warm a tiny amount between my fingers before patting it on, which helps it sink in fast.
I store it in my bathroom cabinet, away from heat, to maintain its texture.
At night, I layer it over a hydrating serum for maximum plumpness.
You’ll want to use it sparingly and cleanse well to keep your skin happy and the cream effective.
Comparison with Other Brands
- Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream Vs. Tatcha The Water Cream
Tatcha’s The Water Cream ($70, 50mL) is a lightweight, oil-free gel-cream that hydrates with Japanese botanicals like wild rose and leopard lily.
I found it less rich than Summer Fridays, absorbing instantly without shine, perfect for my combo T-zone.
It’s great for oily skin but less plumping for dry patches compared to Summer Fridays’ thick formula.
Its elegant pump is more hygienic than a jar.
You’ll pick Tatcha for a lighter feel and broader skin-type appeal, but Summer Fridays wins for intense hydration and sensitive-skin soothing.
- Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream Vs. Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
Drunk Elephant’s Lala Retro ($62, 50mL) is a rich, whipped moisturizer with six African oils and ceramides.
I loved its creamy texture, similar to Summer Fridays, but it felt heavier and took longer to absorb.
It hydrated my dry skin well but caused shine on my forehead.
Its airless pump is hygienic, unlike Summer Fridays’ jar.
You’ll choose Drunk Elephant for its barrier-repair focus, but Summer Fridays is better for sensitive skin and a dewy primer base.
- Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream Vs. Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer
Ole Henriksen’s Peptide Boost ($48, 50mL) blends peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid for hydration and firmness.
I found it lighter than Summer Fridays, with a silky feel that worked better for daytime.
It didn’t plump my lines as much but avoided greasiness on my T-zone.
Its pump jar is user-friendly.
You’ll go for Ole Henriksen for its active ingredients and budget-friendly price, but Summer Fridays excels for dry, sensitive skin needing a rich, soothing cream.
- Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream Vs. La Mer Crème de la Mer
La Mer’s Crème de la Mer ($190, 30mL) is a luxury cream with a seaweed-based Miracle Broth.
I tested it; it’s ultra-rich like Summer Fridays but felt heavier and pricier.
It hydrated deeply and plumped lines but was too heavy for daytime.
Its jar packaging matches Summer Fridays but feels more indulgent.
You’ll splurge on La Mer for its prestige and intense repair, but Summer Fridays offers similar hydration at a fraction of the cost.
- Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream Vs. Biodance Skin-Glow Essence Cream
Biodance’s Skin-Glow Essence Cream ($35, 50mL) is a K-beauty moisturizer with ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
I found it lighter than Summer Fridays, with a dewy finish that suited my combo skin better in summer.
It hydrated well but didn’t plump lines as effectively.
Its tube packaging is hygienic and budget-friendly.
You’ll pick Biodance for its affordability and lightweight feel, but Summer Fridays is superior for dry skin and sensitive-skin soothing.
Performance Across Use Cases
The Rich Cushion Cream shines for dry, sensitive skin in winter, keeping my face hydrated during cold, windy days.
It’s a stellar makeup primer, giving a glowy base without pilling under SPF or foundation.
For night, it locks in serums, plumping my skin by morning.
On humid days, it felt heavy on my T-zone, needing powder.
You’ll love it for dry or mature skin needing intense moisture, but if you’re oily or in a hot climate, a lighter option might work better.
Build Quality and Ingredients
The cream’s chic blue jar is luxe but requires clean fingers for hygiene.
Its formula, with glycerin, squalane, saccharide isomerate, hyaluronic acid, and plant extracts, delivers deep hydration and plumps lines.
Chamomile and allantoin soothe redness, earning the National Eczema Association Seal.
The vegan, fragrance-free blend suits sensitive skin but may feel rich for oily types.
You’ll appreciate the eco-friendly design and skin-soothing ingredients, though the jar’s practicality lags behind pump-based competitors.
Who Should Use This Cream?
The Rich Cushion Cream is perfect for those with dry, dehydrated, or sensitive skin craving intense hydration.
It’s great for mature skin to plump fine lines or anyone needing a soothing primer.
If you have oily skin or prefer lightweight gels, it might feel too heavy.
You’ll love it for winter or nighttime routines, but oily skin types may want a lighter alternative for daily use.
Safety and Precautions
Patch-test the cream to avoid irritation, especially with actives like tretinoin.
Use clean fingers or a spatula to prevent contamination.
Apply sparingly to avoid greasiness, and cleanse thoroughly to prevent clogged pores.
Store in a cool, dry place to maintain texture.
Check for sensitivity to plant extracts.
You’ll want to monitor your skin and apply carefully to keep it safe and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, it’s a facial moisturizer designed to hydrate, plump, and support the skin barrier.
Apply a pea-sized amount to cleansed skin, massaging gently with fingertips, day or night.
Its vegan, fragrance-free formula hydrates deeply and soothes sensitive skin with eco-friendly packaging.
Yes, it’s vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and formulated without harmful chemicals.
Final Thoughts
After weeks of testing, I’m sold on the Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream ($52, Sephora).
Its hydrating, plumping formula transformed my dry, sensitive skin, softening lines and adding a dewy glow.
Perfect as a primer or nighttime cream, it’s a must for anyone craving luminous, healthy skin.
Grab it to elevate your routine and feel the difference.
